Paris born, slightly built, young Prinz Eugen von Savoyen
(François-Eugène, Prince of Savoy-Carignan, Principe Eugenio di
Savoia), 1663-1736, headed for Austria where there was need for soldiers
to protect the city from the Ottoman armies. Prinz Eugen would become
one of the greatest generals to serve the Habsburgs. When the Ottoman
Empire began expanding westward into Europe in the middle of the 14th
century, its first significant opponent was the young Serbian Empire,
which had been weakened by a series of battles, especially in the Battle of
Kosovo in 1389 in which the leaders of both armies were killed. The
Ottomans went on to conquer the lands of the Second Bulgarian Empire.
(François-Eugène, Prince of Savoy-Carignan, Principe Eugenio di
Savoia), 1663-1736, headed for Austria where there was need for soldiers
to protect the city from the Ottoman armies. Prinz Eugen would become
one of the greatest generals to serve the Habsburgs. When the Ottoman
Empire began expanding westward into Europe in the middle of the 14th
century, its first significant opponent was the young Serbian Empire,
which had been weakened by a series of battles, especially in the Battle of
Kosovo in 1389 in which the leaders of both armies were killed. The
Ottomans went on to conquer the lands of the Second Bulgarian Empire.
However, Ottoman gains in Catholic Europe slowed for 70 years following their defeat in 1456 at the
Siege of Belgrade, although in 1493 the Ottoman army successfully raided Styria and Croatia. Fierce
Albanian highlanders managed to head off Ottoman attacks for more than 30 years. The Kingdom of
Hungary, which included the area from Croatia in the west to Transylvania in the east, finally
collapsed with the Battle of Mohács of 1526, placing most of the Kingdom under an 150 year long
Ottoman Occupation with parts of the Hungarian Kingdom occupied from 1421 and until 1718.
Siege of Belgrade, although in 1493 the Ottoman army successfully raided Styria and Croatia. Fierce
Albanian highlanders managed to head off Ottoman attacks for more than 30 years. The Kingdom of
Hungary, which included the area from Croatia in the west to Transylvania in the east, finally
collapsed with the Battle of Mohács of 1526, placing most of the Kingdom under an 150 year long
Ottoman Occupation with parts of the Hungarian Kingdom occupied from 1421 and until 1718.
Transylvania, having won semi-independence from the Ottomans in 1526 by paying tribute, decided
in 1657 to attack the Tatars, the Empire's vassals, to the East, and later the Ottoman Empire itself as
it came to defend the Tatars. War lasted until 1662, ending again with a Hungarian loss. The Western
portion of the Hungarian Kingdom was annexed and placed under direct Ottoman control, and there
was another campaign against Austria in 1663-1664. Jan Sobieski distinguished himself around this
time and became King of Poland a year after Poland beat back a Tatar invasion.
in 1657 to attack the Tatars, the Empire's vassals, to the East, and later the Ottoman Empire itself as
it came to defend the Tatars. War lasted until 1662, ending again with a Hungarian loss. The Western
portion of the Hungarian Kingdom was annexed and placed under direct Ottoman control, and there
was another campaign against Austria in 1663-1664. Jan Sobieski distinguished himself around this
time and became King of Poland a year after Poland beat back a Tatar invasion.
The Great Turkish War started in 1683 with a 200,000 Ottoman invasion force supported by
Hungarian noblemen rebelling against Habsburg rule who were marching on Vienna. To stop the
invasion, Austria and Poland formed a coalition, another Holy League, composed of Venetians and
the Russian Empire. Prinz Eugen von Savoyen joined the command of his cousin Louis of Baden,
which formed part of the Lorraine’s Imperial army. Allied with Polish Jan Sobieski, they drove the
Turks from Vienna. This was Eugene’s first action and he was presented with golden spurs in
recognition of his bravery.
Hungarian noblemen rebelling against Habsburg rule who were marching on Vienna. To stop the
invasion, Austria and Poland formed a coalition, another Holy League, composed of Venetians and
the Russian Empire. Prinz Eugen von Savoyen joined the command of his cousin Louis of Baden,
which formed part of the Lorraine’s Imperial army. Allied with Polish Jan Sobieski, they drove the
Turks from Vienna. This was Eugene’s first action and he was presented with golden spurs in
recognition of his bravery.
After winning the Battle of Vienna, the Holy League gained the upper hand, and conducted the
re-conquest of Hungary ending with the Treaty of Karlowitz in 1699. Prince Eugene remained the
most important Austrian commander. After the victorious Battle of Vienna of 1683, Austria enjoyed
great success. Eugene's valor lead to his promotion as Major-General in 1685 and he was twice
wounded in the eventual capture of Buda the following year. By 1688, the Habsburgs occupied
Belgrade and most of the Pannonian Plain. But as the war with the French demanded more troops,
and the Ottoman Army was strengthened and renewed by the new grand vizier, Belgrade was
recaptured by the Ottomans in 1690.
re-conquest of Hungary ending with the Treaty of Karlowitz in 1699. Prince Eugene remained the
most important Austrian commander. After the victorious Battle of Vienna of 1683, Austria enjoyed
great success. Eugene's valor lead to his promotion as Major-General in 1685 and he was twice
wounded in the eventual capture of Buda the following year. By 1688, the Habsburgs occupied
Belgrade and most of the Pannonian Plain. But as the war with the French demanded more troops,
and the Ottoman Army was strengthened and renewed by the new grand vizier, Belgrade was
recaptured by the Ottomans in 1690.
Austrian war effort increased in 1697, led by Eugene in his first independent command. Eugene was
made commander in chief of the Army in the Kingdom of Hungary on July 5, 1697. Out of his
70,000 man army, only 35,000 were battle ready, and he had to borrow money in order to pay
wages and to create a medical service. When news arrived that the Sultan and his army were in
Belgrade, Eugene concentrated all available troops numbering about 50,000 to 55,000 from Upper
Hungary and Transylvania and began moving them toward Peterwardein.
made commander in chief of the Army in the Kingdom of Hungary on July 5, 1697. Out of his
70,000 man army, only 35,000 were battle ready, and he had to borrow money in order to pay
wages and to create a medical service. When news arrived that the Sultan and his army were in
Belgrade, Eugene concentrated all available troops numbering about 50,000 to 55,000 from Upper
Hungary and Transylvania and began moving them toward Peterwardein.
After the Sultan abandonded the idea of a seige of Szeged, he planned to return to winter quarters
near Timişoara. Eugene learned of these movements, he decided to force a battle. The Imperial army
surprised the Ottomans as they were in the process of fording the river Tisza near Senta. After an
intense artillery bombardment, Imperial Dragoon regiments dismounted, encircling the Ottoman
camp. Ottoman troops from behind the entrenchments ran back to the bridge in confusion where
they were slaughtered. Inside the camp, the battle was just as horrific and barely a thousand
Ottomans escaped. More then ten thousand of their troops drowned in the Tisza river and up to
twenty thousand Ottoman soldiers were killed on the battlefield. Austria lost only 500 men to the
Ottomans' 30,000, including the 10,000 or so that drowned.
near Timişoara. Eugene learned of these movements, he decided to force a battle. The Imperial army
surprised the Ottomans as they were in the process of fording the river Tisza near Senta. After an
intense artillery bombardment, Imperial Dragoon regiments dismounted, encircling the Ottoman
camp. Ottoman troops from behind the entrenchments ran back to the bridge in confusion where
they were slaughtered. Inside the camp, the battle was just as horrific and barely a thousand
Ottomans escaped. More then ten thousand of their troops drowned in the Tisza river and up to
twenty thousand Ottoman soldiers were killed on the battlefield. Austria lost only 500 men to the
Ottomans' 30,000, including the 10,000 or so that drowned.
They captured 87 cannon, the sultan's harem, the royal treasure chest and the
Ottoman Empire's state seal. The main Ottoman army was scattered. This
victory was decisive and lead to the Treaty of Karlowitz 1699, in which the
Hapsburgs gained all of Hungary and Transylvania. Eugene’s reputation was
exulted across Europe. Sultan Mustafa II was forced to cede, except for the
Banat of Temesvar, Transylvania and the Ottoman occupied areas of Buda,
Eger and Kanizsa, which were later transformed or integrated into the
Habsburg realm as the Principality of Transylvania, Kingdom of Hungary,
Kingdom of Slavonia, and the Military Frontier.
Ottoman Empire's state seal. The main Ottoman army was scattered. This
victory was decisive and lead to the Treaty of Karlowitz 1699, in which the
Hapsburgs gained all of Hungary and Transylvania. Eugene’s reputation was
exulted across Europe. Sultan Mustafa II was forced to cede, except for the
Banat of Temesvar, Transylvania and the Ottoman occupied areas of Buda,
Eger and Kanizsa, which were later transformed or integrated into the
Habsburg realm as the Principality of Transylvania, Kingdom of Hungary,
Kingdom of Slavonia, and the Military Frontier.
After another war with Austria and Venice began in 1714, Austria conquered the remaining areas of
the former Kingdom of Hungary. In 1716, 150,000 Ottomans under Grand Vizier Damad Ali began
to gather at Belgrade. They crossed the Sava at Zemun at the end of July and moved on the right
bank of the Danube towards Sremski Karlovci. On the morning of August 5, Prince Eugene began
his offensive. He soon had the Ottomans completely encircled. After he wiped out the Ottoman
forces here, he led his troops against the encampment of the Grand Vizier. The battle was won by
two o'clock, with the Grand Vizier himself among the dead. Barely 50,000 Ottomans returned to
Belgrade. Austrians lost over 3,000 men and the Ottomans more than double that. Hungary was
liberated from the Ottomans and the Stronghold of Belgrade was soon captured by Eugene at the
victory of Peterwardein (a town that was taken away from Austria at the Peace of Versailles), a
monumentous event embodied in the traditional song Prinz Eugen, der edle Ritter (Prince Eugene,
the noble knight) and commemorated with the founding of the Timişoreana brewery.
the former Kingdom of Hungary. In 1716, 150,000 Ottomans under Grand Vizier Damad Ali began
to gather at Belgrade. They crossed the Sava at Zemun at the end of July and moved on the right
bank of the Danube towards Sremski Karlovci. On the morning of August 5, Prince Eugene began
his offensive. He soon had the Ottomans completely encircled. After he wiped out the Ottoman
forces here, he led his troops against the encampment of the Grand Vizier. The battle was won by
two o'clock, with the Grand Vizier himself among the dead. Barely 50,000 Ottomans returned to
Belgrade. Austrians lost over 3,000 men and the Ottomans more than double that. Hungary was
liberated from the Ottomans and the Stronghold of Belgrade was soon captured by Eugene at the
victory of Peterwardein (a town that was taken away from Austria at the Peace of Versailles), a
monumentous event embodied in the traditional song Prinz Eugen, der edle Ritter (Prince Eugene,
the noble knight) and commemorated with the founding of the Timişoreana brewery.
By June, 1717, Belgrade and its 30,000 Ottoman garrison commanded by Mustapha Pasha was
encircled by Imperial forces: additional mercenary troops, Bavarians and 45 princely German
volunteers of 100,000 strong besieged Belgrade. The Ottoman relief army allegedly 200,000 strong
under the command of the Grand Vizier Halil Pasha encircled and bombarded the Imperial besiegers
from high ground and it was brought near collapse. Eugene, with weakened forces numbering around
60,000, therefore decided to break out on August 16, 1717 with his men and in the early hours they
advanced. The Ottomans lost 20,000 men and the Austrians suffered over 5,000 casualties. Two
days later the Fortress caved. The victory was celebrated across Europe. After a few skirmishes, all
sides were ready for peace by 1718. The Treaty of Passarowitz in May of 1718 added northern
Serbia and the Bosnian bank of the Sava river to the Austrians and finally and forever ended the
Turkish threats to Vienna. Eugene’s Balkan campaigns had halted Ottoman expansion for good
encircled by Imperial forces: additional mercenary troops, Bavarians and 45 princely German
volunteers of 100,000 strong besieged Belgrade. The Ottoman relief army allegedly 200,000 strong
under the command of the Grand Vizier Halil Pasha encircled and bombarded the Imperial besiegers
from high ground and it was brought near collapse. Eugene, with weakened forces numbering around
60,000, therefore decided to break out on August 16, 1717 with his men and in the early hours they
advanced. The Ottomans lost 20,000 men and the Austrians suffered over 5,000 casualties. Two
days later the Fortress caved. The victory was celebrated across Europe. After a few skirmishes, all
sides were ready for peace by 1718. The Treaty of Passarowitz in May of 1718 added northern
Serbia and the Bosnian bank of the Sava river to the Austrians and finally and forever ended the
Turkish threats to Vienna. Eugene’s Balkan campaigns had halted Ottoman expansion for good
Eugene never married and there is not a record of him having a single relationship of any kind. In
1714, Eugene began construction of the Belvedere, a baroque palace in Vienna. Construction of
various parts of the palace complex continued until 1723. Sadly, it was horribly damaged by Allied
bombs during the closing days of World War Two and then looted by the Soviets.
1714, Eugene began construction of the Belvedere, a baroque palace in Vienna. Construction of
various parts of the palace complex continued until 1723. Sadly, it was horribly damaged by Allied
bombs during the closing days of World War Two and then looted by the Soviets.
| Prinz Eugen |
Although Germans had lived in parts of Transylvania since the 12th century, some Austria
Protestants had been exiled there as a buffer to the Turks, and during the 18th century the Habsburg
monarchy had enticed more Germans to emigrate to the unsettled lands of Southern Hungary, which
had been devastated by over 150 years of Turkish occupation. From 1711 to 1750, about 800
villages were founded in Hungary by German settlers. After World War Two, they were forcibly
removed during the brutal expulsions.
Protestants had been exiled there as a buffer to the Turks, and during the 18th century the Habsburg
monarchy had enticed more Germans to emigrate to the unsettled lands of Southern Hungary, which
had been devastated by over 150 years of Turkish occupation. From 1711 to 1750, about 800
villages were founded in Hungary by German settlers. After World War Two, they were forcibly
removed during the brutal expulsions.
The Ottoman threat was met head on by intrepid military men from a host of European nations
bound together by a common enemy, one who threatened all of their various cultures.
bound together by a common enemy, one who threatened all of their various cultures.